The Berlin Mayor and Council discussed the following items during a public meeting at town hall on Feb. 9.
Co-op agreement
The council unanimously approved a resolution to establish a cooperative agreement with The Nature Conservancy. The organization was granted access to 196 acres of land in Berlin along the Pocomoke River watershed, which it hopes to improve.
Mike Dryden said the Conservancy’s work would enhance water quality, create a wildlife habitat and reduce flooding.
Town Administrator Laura Allen reported that she contacted the Maryland Department of the Environment, which had no issues with the project.
The council unanimously approved a resolution to establish a cooperative agreement with The Nature Conservancy. The organization was granted access to 196 acres of land in Berlin along the Pocomoke River watershed, which it hopes to improve.
Mike Dryden said the Conservancy’s work would enhance water quality, create a wildlife habitat and reduce flooding.
Town Administrator Laura Allen reported that she contacted the Maryland Department of the Environment, which had no issues with the project.
Rezoning
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said two rezoning requests would come before the planning commission on Feb. 10, after press time.
The town hopes to build a new police station at 109 Decatur Street. Engelhart said that parcel is currently zoned as a B-2 shopping district, and would need to be changed to R-1 residential.
A property at 15 Gay Street wants to build two ground-level retail spaces there, with two apartments on the second floor – a common structure in downtown Berlin.
Engelhart said several adjacent property owners had asked for a similar zoning change, from B-2 shopping district to R-1 residential, which would presumably raise property values. He called the change a perfect example of 21st century rezoning for mixed use.
Planning Director Dave Engelhart said two rezoning requests would come before the planning commission on Feb. 10, after press time.
The town hopes to build a new police station at 109 Decatur Street. Engelhart said that parcel is currently zoned as a B-2 shopping district, and would need to be changed to R-1 residential.
A property at 15 Gay Street wants to build two ground-level retail spaces there, with two apartments on the second floor – a common structure in downtown Berlin.
Engelhart said several adjacent property owners had asked for a similar zoning change, from B-2 shopping district to R-1 residential, which would presumably raise property values. He called the change a perfect example of 21st century rezoning for mixed use.
Burley festivals
The council endorsed four events to be held on the Burley Oak Brewing Company property on Old Ocean City Boulevard. Owner Bryan Brushmiller said the endorsements were necessary to get approval from the liquor board in order hold the events in Burley’s parking lot.
Four “Explore Berlin Festivals” will be held April 23, June 11 and Sept. 17. The brewery will also hold an event in conjunction with town fireworks on July 3.
Carol Rose from the Berlin Heritage Foundation said her group had planned a separate event during one of the “Explore” festivals, which Mayor Gee Williams said would not be an issue.
The council endorsed four events to be held on the Burley Oak Brewing Company property on Old Ocean City Boulevard. Owner Bryan Brushmiller said the endorsements were necessary to get approval from the liquor board in order hold the events in Burley’s parking lot.
Four “Explore Berlin Festivals” will be held April 23, June 11 and Sept. 17. The brewery will also hold an event in conjunction with town fireworks on July 3.
Carol Rose from the Berlin Heritage Foundation said her group had planned a separate event during one of the “Explore” festivals, which Mayor Gee Williams said would not be an issue.
More events
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells asked for and received approval for 27 events planned for 2016, including the Jazz and Blues Bash, Bathtub Races, Peach Festival and Fiddler’s Convention.
One popular event that will not return, Wells said, are the High Heel Races. She said nonprofit host Women Supporting Women had changed executive directors and were not interesting in continuing the annual fundraiser.
Wells said she would seek another nonprofit group to fill the vacancy, on June 3.
Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells asked for and received approval for 27 events planned for 2016, including the Jazz and Blues Bash, Bathtub Races, Peach Festival and Fiddler’s Convention.
One popular event that will not return, Wells said, are the High Heel Races. She said nonprofit host Women Supporting Women had changed executive directors and were not interesting in continuing the annual fundraiser.
Wells said she would seek another nonprofit group to fill the vacancy, on June 3.